I am sure this has been discussed over the years in several of the forum already. However, I don't wish to have to use the search engine and look through years of commentary.

My question to you is which 5 books would you consider as 'must reads' for us Uechi karateka or any serious martial artist? Which would be the most useful and helpful books you could recommend be read?

Kata, The Folk Dances of Shotokan Rob Redmond.
A real book, that you can download for free as a pdf. Goes into history and throws out some ideas on history and why, where and what kata is. Rob is an excellent writer and being free there is no excuse not to read this.

Sabaki Method by Ninomiya. Mostly sport based but it's just so well put together and is what other karate books attempting to teach technique should be.

Kata, The Folk Dances of Shotokan Rob Redmond.A real book, that you can download for free as a pdf. Goes into history and throws out some ideas on history and why, where and what kata is. Rob is an excellent writer and being free there is no excuse not to read this.

Sabaki Method by Ninomiya. Mostly sport based but it's just so well put together and is what other karate books attempting to teach technique should be.

If I think of any others I'll list them.

Thankee, downloaded the shotokan one and i intend to read it.

i got the sabaki method, i love it. Sport based or not, the PRINCIPLES are pretty sound.

2. The Book of Five Rings
http://astore.amazon.com/httpsitesg0e8-20/detail/1590302486For a couple of reasons: one, it's a very good book, if you take the time to really think about it and understand the lessons there (and I do not pretend to have given the book nearly the time it deserves). Two, it's a very widely quoted book, and if you're going to be a martial artist, you ought to have read this at some point.

Because being physically fit is a benefit, no matter what martial art you're doing. All of Ross's stuff is great, but this one is particularly valuable for those who are working out in non-gym conditions. It also has some excellent nutritional advice.
http://www.rosstraining.com/nevergymless.html5. Something historical/style-specific. Not being a Uechi-ka, I'm not up on what's good Uechi reading and what's not. For a general intro to Asian martial arts, I like Draeger's Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.
http://astore.amazon.com/httpsitesg0e8-20/detail/0870114360

If you're into martial arts to compete in sport fighting, do something exotic, lose weight, or socialize, then fine. You don't need to read these books. However if you have any designs on using your martial art to defend yourself, work as a LEO, or work in the military, then a book by Grossman is a MUST read. Otherwise you're engaging in a serious (and dangerous) exercise in self-delusion.

Nothing in a standard martial arts curriculum prepares you mentally to hurt or kill someone. The closer your martial art engages with the enemy, the more problems involved in "pulling the trigger." Given that the REAL style Kanbun brought back from China is a bad-breath-range fighting style with brutally efficient weapons, I cannot stress this enough. Read Grossman's work to find out if you're really cut out for hurting someone when/if your life depended on it. Otherwise... enjoy your physical activity for nothing more than just that.

Goleman's work is the classic. To engage in conflict requires one first to know oneself and then to know others. This is a very general book about a brand new field that applies very well to engaging people on any level.

This is a good "general" book that will get you out of application "brain lock" mode and into independently being creative with the application of your art. IMNSHO, there are too many bone-headed "standard" bunkai for Uechi Ryu. Most of these are the way they are because of an emphasis of Uechi Ryu as a striking and/or sport style. Meanwhile the Chinese style from whence it came is an infighting style that bridges the gap between striking and grappling. Folks wonder sometimes how and why I'm able to "see" applications in Uechi kata that others can't. Part of it is my diverse martial background, part of it is my research mind (by nature and by nurture), and part of it was unlocked by this book.

If you're a photographer, this is a "must have." It was recommended to me by a professional who was a staff photographer for a Charlottesville newspaper, had been hired to shoot for sports-oriented books, and aspired to National Geographic style work.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum